In this contributor feature, Deborah Kombe reminisces on her trip in Tulum last year, with a list of the places she kept going back to, from a French bakery in La Veleta to a café that had the whole group in a chokehold, and the shrimp tacos she is still thinking about. Plus the spots already on the list for next time.
I think it’s fair to say that when travelling abroad, the places you eat can make or break the trip. Knowing where to eat in Tulum turned out to be half the holiday, and we were truly spoiled for choice. Below are a few of the places we thoroughly enjoyed on our trip last year, along with a handful of spots I already have my eye on for our next visit.
La Pizzine
I know what you’re probably thinking: why go to eat pizza in Mexico? Forgive us, but by the time we arrived in Tulum we were exhausted and stumbled past La Pizzine, deciding it felt like a safe option. The concierge at Jungle V by Loco Luxury had also recommended it in their villa guide, so we thought, why not?
And how was it? Fantastic. The relaxed atmosphere of the open-air space, the open-plan kitchen where we could watch the chefs prepare our wood-fired pizzas from our table, and the soft, mellow music in the background made it the perfect way to ease into our holiday. The venue also hosts DJ and art events throughout the week, which we didn’t manage to experience, but based on the dinner alone, I’d happily return to check one out.
I ordered the Funghi pizza with mozzarella, mushrooms, and black olives. I don’t say this lightly, but it was genuinely one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. At 156 MXN, roughly £7 or $9, it was both affordable and incredibly satisfying. Highly recommend.
Nimeño Bakery
Continuing the theme of non-Mexican food, let me introduce you to Nimeño, a French bakery and café also located in Tulum’s La Veleta neighbourhood. Think freshly baked goods and French-inspired dishes done very, very well.
The bakery alone caused us to order more than we could reasonably eat, while the café became a go-to breakfast spot on more than one occasion. On our first visit, we went to the location closest to our villa and were welcomed into a bright dining space with an outdoor courtyard straight ahead.
I ordered a smoked salmon croissant filled with smoked salmon, dill dressing, red onions, capers, a sunny-side-up egg, cucumber, and a side of potatoes. To call it filling would be an understatement, but it was delicious. On another morning, we ordered Nimeño for breakfast and I opted for the French toast, made with vanilla-infused brioche and topped with fresh fruit, homemade chantilly (which I was obsessed with), granola, chocolate chips, and maple syrup. Simply fantastic.
Mera Café
If there was one place we kept returning to, it was Mera Café. This spot had us in an absolute chokehold from the very first visit. Think relaxed, dog-friendly vibes, a minimal modern bohemian aesthetic, and food that is simply chef’s kiss.
My go-to order was the mushrooms and caramelised onion on toast, paired with the Mera eggs, a Japanese-style omelette, and a matcha.
I honestly don’t remember how many times I had this breakfast, but I do know it was the very last thing I ate in Tulum on the way to the airport. Perfect, every time. I’m still trying to figure out how to recreate it at home.
Chambao
We visited Chambao to celebrate Pris’ birthday, and it did not disappoint. We were initially hesitant to order the lamb chops due to a less-than-great experience at a London restaurant shortly before the trip, but we were so glad we went for it. They were delicious.
Chambao is a high-end steakhouse located in Tulum’s Hotel Zone, known for its premium meats, which are presented on a cart for you to choose from, all set within a chic, boho-inspired space. The restaurant also offers live entertainment ranging from DJs to fashion shows, though we visited during low season and enjoyed a more relaxed dining experience.
I ordered the lamb chops, we shared the Chambao potatoes, a beautifully indulgent potato mille-feuille with truffled Grana Padano sauce, and paired it all with a great cocktail. It was a memorable meal and a lovely way to celebrate Pris’ birthday.
Loco Tulum
This restaurant was visited off the back of a recommendation on TikTok. Now, we tend to find these recommendations aren’t always reliable and often focus more on aesthetics than the food, but fortunately for us, this time round, the recommendation proved to be a good one.
While Loco Tulum, based in the Hotel Zone, is a Mediterranean kitchen, I had the best shrimp tacos here. I quickly wanted to order another portion, but the kitchen had closed. Lamb chops on Mediterranean Couscous, Hummus and Pitta, and Mezcalina de Kombucha were amongst the dishes and drinks enjoyed at the table, and they were a delight. Had we not gone so late in the evening, we would probably have ordered more food, so I’m looking forward to heading back here next time.
Unem
Not every good meal in Tulum happens in a restaurant.
One evening at Jungle V we had UNEM over, a private culinary collective founded by two hospitality veterans who came to Tulum for a break and ended up staying. Chef Machaki cooked for us, and it turned into one of the best nights of the trip.
We went for the Mexican menu, served platter-style across a table he had staged himself. Ancestral guacamole, deliberately rustic, lime cutting through generous chunks of avocado. Then slow-cooked birria in blue corn tortillas under molten cheese, with a consommé for dipping that was quite tasty. Prosecco and churros to finish, cinnamon sugar and a chocolate sauce worth the mess.
What made it work was the setting as much as the food. Mexican and Brazilian music through the speakers, the four of us crowded around the open-air kitchen island asking about every ingredient, and the smell of fresh herbs drifting up into the trees. Chef Machaki had never cooked at Jungle V before and was visibly delighted by the open-air kitchen, which made the whole evening feel like a collaboration rather than a service.
If you are travelling as a group and staying somewhere with a proper kitchen, I’d absolutely recommend booking a private chef for a night. There is something about eating restaurant quality food at your own table, having done none of the work, that feels like the whole point of a holiday. The Mexican menu is 1,500 MXN per person, with lobster tail and tomahawk available as add-ons, and you can book at unemchef.com.
Places I’d Like to Visit Next Time
Wang Tulum
Funnily enough, we did actually go here, although I’m convinced I ordered the wrong thing. I went for the noodle soup, which I didn’t really enjoy, but Pris ordered the dumplings in red chilli oil and loved them. They were so spicy they made our friend Aimee’s nose run, which honestly felt like a good sign.
I’d love to go back and do it properly next time. The nose-dripping dumplings are top of the list, along with the biang biang beef, and ideally enjoyed on site during the day rather than as a takeaway. Located in the heart of Tulum Centro, it’s definitely one I’m excited to revisit on my next trip.
La Norteña
We simply didn’t eat enough Mexican food, namely tacos, during our first stay, so leaning into something more authentic is a high priority next time around. Think tacos, quesadillas, tortas and flan, I want all of the above.
La Norteña is known for its authentic northern-style barbacoa and is located in Tulum’s La Veleta neighbourhood. It’s loved by locals and offers a true taste of Northern Mexico. Apparently it also doubles as the perfect Mexican hangover cure, which we’ll definitely be keeping in mind on our next visit.
Negro Huitlacoxe
Described as having a “groovy atmosphere and an exceptional vibe” on Gloobles, Negro Huitlacoxe is another restaurant celebrated for its authentic Mexican cuisine. I’ll be honest, the menu looks fairly simple, with tacos and quesadillas making up the main offering. But I’ve learned that places with focused, uncrowded menus often execute their dishes exceptionally well. For that reason, plus the raving reviews online, it’s firmly on the list for next time.
Looking back, Tulum wasn’t just about where we stayed or what we saw, but where we kept returning to eat, linger and savor the moment. Some places became favourites instantly, others are saved for next time, and that feels right.
Whether it was pizza eaten out of exhaustion, breakfasts that became little rituals, or tacos I’m determined to prioritise next time, Tulum proved that food is part of the experience, not an afterthought. I left with a list of favourites, another growing list for the next visit, and the quiet certainty that this won’t be my last trip back.
Planning Your Trip?
| Restaurant | Neighbourhood | What to order |
|---|---|---|
| La Pizzine | La Veleta | Funghi pizza |
| Nimeño Bakery | La Veleta | Smoked salmon croissant, French toast |
| Mera Café | La Veleta | Mushroom and caramelised onion toast, Mera eggs |
| Chambao | Hotel Zone | Lamb chops, Chambao potatoes |
| Loco Tulum | Hotel Zone | Shrimp tacos |
| Unem (private chef) | At your villa | Let the chef decide |
All of these restaurants are in Tulum, Mexico, split across La Veleta, Tulum Centro and the Hotel Zone. Prices quoted were correct at the time of visiting in July 2025. Tulum’s dry season runs November to April, with the cleanest beaches from November through to the turn of the year.
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